Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1887-04-09
THE. IELEP HONE GGIRL

he came into his Office. after sever
al days. illness with wretchet
neuralgia. which affected him when
ever the east wind blew, ssyou go
some one for the telephone-dit
you. Burnsi"
eyes. sir,n the clerk replied
1.-THE young lady has been here
since Tuesday"
"Young ladyp exclaimed Mr
Wayne, testify. "Nhy did You get
a wOmani A brokers' Office Isl M
place for a woman"
"Why, you,see sir" said Burns
with an obvious embarrassment
and apprehensive chances toward q
light oak partition, behind which
tie new operator sat in conceal
ment, lyon didn't say anything
about that-only that Mr.. Richards
had his hands full with the wires
and that there'd have to be some
one to take charge Of the telephone;
so T'-
aThat is just like you, Bnrns,'
said Mr.Wayne stamping back into
his private office. "Any one else
would have known better"
"Why, you see, sir" said Burns,
defensiveiy, as he followed him
back,"I didn't think it would make
much difference. The young lady
is very capable and she seemed TO
want the place so badly She is
very poor, sir, and supports her
mother. / know something about
her, You see"
ooh! Some fame of yours, I sup
pose, Burns7 Very nice arrange
ment for you, no doubt"
81 beg pardon, sir" said Burns,
in an offended manner, II am a
married man."
ssBy Jove! SO you are!" said Ro :
land Wayne, with a laugh. Il had
forgotten that. Though" he added,
make - di1ffereinic9;eaS.- wen, try her.
anyhow. Where is the mail,pleasefn
~ tell you what, Burns," one Of
the other clerks observed, when
that individual finally emerged
from Mr.. Wayne's Office, "the boss
is in a fly humor, isn't he7"
GILES all right" Burns answered,
warmly. s.He has given me ticket
to Atlantic City and two days Off"
The clerk whistled.
"Why, l thought he was going
to take your head Off"
"You don't know him. | am sure
it is no shame to a man whose
nerves are always twinging with
neuralgia ifhe loses his temper now
and then"
Roland meanwhile had taken up
his pen and was writinga lenghihy
account of Brisket's new deal in P
Y. and Nj:
"If the cat jumps this way" he
said, in conclusion, "tbe bears have
got him sure. Danbury is on our
side. He has given Brisket the
cold shoulder, and, if Pm not mis-
taken, somebody will get wofully
left. l n'tintend that it shall be
L. If everything goes AS [ think it
will, | shall pocket 100000, and
then am going to get out OF the
brokerage business. Itdoesn'tsull
me, and my health is so poor thai
I must get away somewhere OF
shall go to pieces"
81 beg pardon, sir" said soft
tremulous voice at his elbow, IL air
Miss Archer, Mr.. Wayne"
Roland dropped his pen, aud rose
politely as he saw slight,gracefu
figure in black standing before
him.
abe seated, Miss Archer" he
/ said. with a smile which no mai
could have withheld when be saw
the fairness of her young face ant
that Shy, sweet flush on her cheeks
aWhat can / do for you3"
II am the telephone operator
she began, rapidly, and with a ner
i yousness she could not. conceal. :"
II could not help hearing wha
YOU said to Mr.. Burns IL little while
ago. and came to say that if yol
are not satisfied to have me stay IL
the Office you need only say So"
oNot satisGed!n Roland echoed
in manifest confusion. ''Well
really, you know 1 have not givel
you a trial; and as to what [ said ;
little while ago l am sorry, Mis-
Archer. 1 am afraid you will have
to set it down to neuralgia. | an
quite willing to have you stay, |
you will"
@You are very kind" she said
lacing and unlacing her fingers Il
:, some confusion. Il should like t.
stsy-indeed, it is very lDportan
that l should have this position, o
something else. But if what yo
say is true-if a brokers' office i
no place for wOman-I-l thin
: L would rather not stay"
How Roland Wayne abused him
, self when he thoughtof his careles
,, words, and then marked how he
: lips quivcred, how her eyelid
, dropped to keep back the unshe
tears!
i. 81 think l spoke too hastily, Mis-
Archer he said. "a lady's plae
is where she makes it. We are NJ
a lot Of savages," he added, with
warm smile. "lf you remain hel